At the Plaza, The Society of MSK and Valentino Hosted Their Fall Party 

Last night at the iconic Plaza Hotel, The Society of MSK hosted their annual Fall Party, generously sponsored by Valentino for the 7th consecutive year, which raised critical funds for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Pediatric and Adolescent & Young Adult Fertility Preservation Fund.

Celebrating the Society’s long-standing history of supporting patient care and research at Memorial Sloan Kettering, the event was co-chaired by Krista Corl, Breanna Khoury, Kimberly Nemser, Marisa Rose Van Bokhorst, and Associates Committee Chair Gillian Hearst. Partygoers entered through the Plaza’s lobby, passing the famed tea room, and up to the hotel's Grand Ballroom on the third floor. Under the sparkling chandeliers, attendees entered the ballroom transformed by Ron Wendt Designs in enormous autumnal arrangements. Guests enjoyed a sophisticated three-course dinner alongside a tasteful selection of Champagne and wine.

Attendees included Wes Gorden, Paul Arnhold, Ivy Getty, Charlotte Groeneveld, Lili Buffett, Lilah Ramzi, and many more. This year’s fund was presented by Dr. Darren Feldman and cancer survivor Jay Erickson. Erickson spoke to the audience about his harrowing journey from a sudden diagnosis, and the decision to preserve fertility amidst coping with intensive treatments. Guests were moved to tears learning of the Erickson family’s successful pregnancy journey, the birth of their sweet daughter Juniper, and the news of Jay’s cancer remission. Afterward, attendees turned out their pockets in support of helping cancer patients to have access to the indispensable funds needed to cover fertility preservation procedures amidst their already life-threatening battles with various forms of cancer. 

“To cure cancer, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy can crush that dream by leading to long-term infertility and all depending on the type of cancer and the type of treatment that's needed. More than 50% of patients will become infertile after their treatment,” said Dr. Darren Feldman. Once the live donation auction was complete, DJ Twilo took to the stage to kick off a night of dancing in celebration of the hope for renewed life.